Director General of Assam Rifles Lt. Gen. Rameshwar Roy expressed his deep condolences to the family of Rai.

Rai served in 8 Assam Rifles during the 1960s. In 1961, he was awarded the Ashok Chakra for displaying exemplary courage in fighting insurgents in Nagaland.

According to the statement, Rai had led a platoon through two hostile positions into the heart of insurgents’ stronghold and was successful in dislodging them from their position.

“In yet another operation on May 3, 1961, he led a platoon against strongly fortified area held by insurgents. The fortified area was situated on top of a steep ravine. On locating the hostile position, Lt. Col. Man Bahadur Rai threw hand grenades, killing a few hostiles and physically charged the position, killing two more hostiles,” Assam Rifles spokesman A.K. Chaudhuri said.